Several days later, Theo fully recuperated under Mira’s care.

In the early morning, after a long rest, Theo finally stood up and walked through his room, stretching his body. He was a twelve-year-old boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. His skin was soft and his face was handsome. Theo was also tall for his age, weak because of the previous disease. A bit of training for the energetic boy could solve those problems.

‘What a handsome face. I better keep it. No need to once again scare children with my scares below the mask.’

As soon as he finished looking at himself, Theo circulated his mana to identify his current condition and released a bitter sigh moments later. Nothing changed to his body. It was still weak, not fully recovered after his previous disease. At least he was a first-rank adept and could start training.

‘I still have some time to prepare for what is coming. Fortunately, I remember things that I lacked in my previous life. So, it’s better to learn them while I can. Besides, starting from the basics is always beneficial. The top priority right now is to become a mage or parents will force me to sit inside my manor.’

Theo pondered for a bit before wearing clothes, prepared for him, and left his room. It was the buds of his plans.

The more Theo walked, the weirder he felt. Familiar walls, people, atmosphere, and even air, all of that evoked different feelings in his heart. That’s why he didn’t hurry to his destination but took his time to look at the familiar corridors, rooms, main hall before he ended up at the entrance to the beautiful garden. It wasn’t an alchemical or an ordinary garden but was a special garden made for his mother. It was her place where she could relax, but it was also the place for the family gathering.

Theo smelled the fresh aroma of purple flowers around him as he moved towards the pond and a lonely tree at the center. There were tables with breakfast below the tree’s shadow.

As Theo approached the table, he saw five people there. Five, so familiar and dear people. They were his family. His father Darwin, mother Mira, elder sisters Stella and Aurellia, and youngest Lucia. He even paused for a moment just to look at them from a distance. So many emotions were in his heart right now. But Theo gritted his teeth and sobered as he continued his way as certain scenes flashed through his eyes.

Stella, a fifteen years old, beautiful maiden with red hair and blue eyes. She would be a small mother’s copy if not for her eyes, which were like her father’s. Aurellia, a fifteen-year-old maiden with yellow hair and green pupils, and elegant glasses. Lucia, a nine-year-old girl with yellow hair and blue pupils.

Theo didn’t know why, but his heart softened a bit when he saw his family gathered in one place. The weather was sunny, birds were chirping, even fish in the pond enjoyed the day, jumping from the pond from time to time. His sisters were talking with each other and the parents were laughing with Lucia as he slowly approached them.

Because of the own rules which his father created, the atmosphere and relations in his family were always good. Freinos family wasn’t just like other noble families which preferred strict procedures and rules. In his family, a gathering which happened once a week was a time of sharing news, talking, and creating bonds with the family. And, now, Theo was glad for this ritual his father implemented.

It was the time which he could enjoy with his family, with no interruptions from maids, servants, or problems. That was the thing which he needed.

As the boy sat on his chair, a handsome male with blonde hair and green eyes glanced at him. A vibe of danger and power was around him. He was his father and the person who taught him so many things with only actions which helped him so much in later life.

“Next time, be careful, son. I added more guardian knights to your guard. Just don’t make us worry again,” said father with a kind gleam in his eyes.

Theo felt how something pierced his heart when he saw those eyes. They were always kind to him, regardless of the situation. His father was always reliable and made everything to protect him. A portion of his intact memories was enough for Theo to know that. That’s why he just tightly clenched his fist and nodded.

Darwin spent a moment looking at his son before he already wanted to shift his attention to his wife when he remembered something.

“By the way, Theo, Lucia, you will begin your studies at the city academy, starting from today. Your classmates won’t know your real identities. So, please keep it a secret at least for a month,” said father before he looked at Stella who jerked from his words, but pretended not to hear him.

“Is that the academy where elder sisters go?” asked little Lucia.

“It is. You two will study in different departments in the beginners’ classes,” said Stella to distract her siblings from a certain question. She didn’t want so her father told her how it happened.

Darwin and Mira only smiled at Stella’s action.

“Your classmates might seem foolish or arrogant to you, but please try to make some friends while you study there. Just behave like children of ordinary families,” said Darwin, drinking a cup of tea.

Both Theo and Lucia nodded at his words and continued eating.

Theo spent the rest of the breakfast eating and watching after his family. They talked, laughed, shared stories, but he just listened and watched after them. His behavior didn’t look weird because the young version was also quiet and talkative. So, he just needed to answer different questions from time to time.

His family didn’t know, but while they were having their ordinary family gathering, huge storms were happening inside Theo’s mind. Both the current reality and intact memories flashed through his eyes and made him feel pain as if they reminded him of their death. His weakness and many years alone. He just was still not used to the new changes and needed some time.

Only half an hour later, when breakfast was over, Theo released a sigh of relief as he and Lucia left for the academy.

...

..

.

The Freinos family created the city academy. They created it to provide the ordinary population a way to learn and get stronger, helped further improve the quality of knights and mages, and assisted the talented. There were two main departments as the Magic department and the Inner energy department, with several minors.

Both Theo and Lucia were freshmen in the city academy. They successfully passed identification tests and proved that they were the first rank adepts or first rank squires.

The city academy, Magic class

Over thirty students were sitting down and were waiting to listen to the teacher as he imparts his knowledge. The students were a bunch of children with magic talent; they were city academy’s students.

Currently, Theo was sitting and listening to the teacher, 40 years looking, male.

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“I heard that our teacher Nolan was sent from the ‘Belgon supreme academy’ as an exchange teacher.”

Some students were discussing among themselves.

They concentrated all attention on the teacher in a robe. Nolan had a tall, healthy body and emitted a thick feeling of magic. He was among a few of the volunteers to be an exchange teacher in the vassal region. The mage was loyal and loved his country. Vassal regions shielded them from external enemies. Their power heavily depended on the quality of local mages and knights, most of whom usually came from such city academies. So, he didn’t mind sharing his knowledge and assist his country, the Trade Union.

“You are all here because you have passed the “Magic identification” test. Your magic path begins today from the lowest realm of adept, but you should know that each of you has the potential to become a mage or someone stronger. Any famous mage was once an adept, just like you. This stage is vital for your magic foundation and your future. The results you will make depend significantly on your efforts and the hard work,” said Nolan, as he raised his hand.

Shining words rich with mana appeared on the board behind him.

*An adept realm*

5 ranks

First transformation

*A mage realm*

4 ranks

Second transformation

*A Great mage realm*

******

“I will start with the main rule of my lectures - it’s equality. You all are my students here. I don’t care whether you are noble or a peasant. I will judge you all according to your abilities. Only your mastery over magic is important for me,” said Nolan, as he seriously looked at the students, and released a bit of pressure at some noble scions who wanted to retort him. They paled and closed their mouths. Delighted with the atmosphere, he nodded and raised his hand.

Other words appeared on the board.

*Ancient*

*Elemental* *Attributed*

*Mind* *Mana*

“There are many types of magic, but today we will discuss elemental magic. The one which you will use soon. Of course, in case you don’t slack off,” said the teacher before throwing a quick glance at his students. “There are four elements - fire, water, earth, and wind. Mages can use all of them.”

As soon as Nolan finished his phrase, a Fireball, Icicle, Earth spike, and a small Tornado appeared behind him.

Many students opened wide their mouths in shock when they saw all those spells. For many, it was their first time seeing magic.

“These basic spells are not equal to each other. Their power depends on the mage’s affinity for elements,” said Nolan, as he sent all his spells into one spot. Soon, all four spells collided and started their battle.

Some students jumped from their seats and attentively watched after that battle, while Theo only sat on his seat with a bored expression on his face. Even with his shattered memory, he didn’t forget such basics. The teacher needed to show something more to catch his interest.

As soon as their battle finished, a small, orange flame ended up victorious, annihilating its opponents.

“This is the difference. I have a strong affinity for fire element. So, there are no wonders fire spell ended up victorious,” said Nolan, as dispelled the flame. “That’s why never forget to improve your affinity.”

“How is it possible?” asked one student in ordinary clothes.

Students in the noble outfits only smirked at his question, but quickly paled when Nolan pinned them with his stern gaze.

“Affinity to a certain element is like a talent. You won’t get it regardless of all your efforts, but it’s possible to develop it if you have the slightest affinity. You will just need to take an affinity improving resource or train in the unique areas where the air is rich in a certain element like volcanoes or frozen caves,” said Nolan, watching how many ordinary students released a bitter sigh. He knew how they felt. He was once at their spot. Wasting a huge sum of coins or risking their lives, it was hard to choose. But it was a harsh reality and these prospect mages needed to embrace it.

“Since you already know what it is, let’s see what affinities you have, my students,” said Nolan with a smile on his lips as he took a certain stone and put it on his table. “Come one by one and place your hand on it. It will show your affinity.”

Soon, students started coming to the affinity stone. Most of them had only one affinity for a certain element.

Theo spent all this time in boredom behind others at the last benches in the class. He could only watch after students who appeared before the affinity stone and ask himself if he remembered them. It was a good test for his memory.

“Next,” said Nolan after one student.

As soon as he said that, Theo’s heart missed a beat as a certain figure of the boy approached the table. Certain scenes flashed through his eyes as he recognized the back of that person. He was the closest friend in his previous life. Instantly, turmoil appeared inside his heart as he watched how Leonardo slowly touched the stone.

‘I totally forgot that he was also learning with me at the academy. I never paid attention to him, but we became friends later when I found him in the Union’s army.’

While Theo was in his deep thoughts, affinity stone finished its work and showed the result.

“Hmm... A strong affinity to water and several buds to wind,” said Nolan, as he touched his chin. “Not bad. You have the potential to become a dual elemental mage. Of course, if only you nurture your wind affinity.”

The boy with black hair and brown eyes only nodded and quickly returned to his seat while the whole class plunged into chaos for a bit.

“He has an affinity for two elements,” said one boy.

“A potential dual-elemental mage,” said another boy with glistening eyes.

“Why do I have only one affinity? I am so jealous,” said another boy.

“Shut up, bumpkin, you are already lucky that you got a fire affinity with such a face,” said his neighbor.

While ordinary students discussed Leonardo, it irritated other students in the noble outfit.

“Come on, Kaleb. Show those bumpkins their spots,” said one student in rich clothes.

“Fine, I will show them the difference between us,” said the tall boy with black hair and gray eyes as he stood up and threw an arrogant look at his classmates.

As soon as he finished identification, Nolan’s brow rose in surprise.

“Impressive, two strong affinities to earth and wind. Belkot family raised a prospect dual elemental mage,” said the teacher as he nodded to himself.

Kaleb only smirked and threw a quick glance at Leonardo before returning to his seat.

Following him, other students came to the affinity stone, but Theo just watched with boredom. Most of the students had only several buds to the certain affinity.

Such a situation continued till a certain girl in white, noble clothes stood up and approached the stone. She was beautiful, the most beautiful girl in the class. Not only because of her fit figure and face but also because of the aloof atmosphere of cold around her. Other students just didn’t have enough courage to sit with such beauty and only threw astonished glances.

But there were few among them who smiled lustfully as they looked at her blonde hair and blue eyes. Kaleb and his friends from noble groups were those students.

“That’s Liza Lepiz. Let’s look at her affinities,” said one student as he concentrated his attention on her back. However, Kaleb quickly hit him on the head.

“Don’t even think about her. She is mine,” said the boy, as he narrowed his eyes at his comrade.

“But she is free. I never heard about your engagement with her,” said that friend as he held his head.

“This is only for now. My engagement with her is only a question of time. So, you better forget about your funny ideas, got it?” asked Kaleb as he looked at his friend.

While they were busy bickering with each other, Liza already placed her hand on the stone. Norman also attentively looked at the results because he knew about her origins and was curious about them.

As soon as the stone finished shining, Norman smiled with satisfaction.

“A strong affinity for water and wind. Another prospect dual-elemental mage in our class,” muttered Norman while Liza moved to her place.

Theo had no interest in all these children and just waited for his turn. But, soon he was forced to look at two boys in his class who caught his attention. It was a pair of friends who sat together. Zed and Felix. One was thin, tall, and had brown hair and eyes while another was wide, tall, and had black hair and brown eyes. Both boys ended up with a strong affinity for earth. They reminded him of a certain duet from his previous life.

‘Hmm... Interesting. I will check that later.’

It was already his turn. So, Theo had no time for thinking and quickly approached the affinity stone. Though he knew about his affinity; it was better to check it because things could change because of his return from the future.

As soon as the stone finished shining, Norman once again smiled in satisfaction.

“A strong affinity to fire and many buds of affinity to water. Another potential dual-elemental mage,” said Norman as he looked at his face.

Theo ignored his praise and just returned to his seat under the curious expression of his classmates. Kaleb and his company looked at his ordinary clothes with a smirk while Leonardo, Zed, and Felix with clear interest. Only Liza paid no attention to him.

As soon as Theo returned to his seat, Norman put away the affinity stone and looked at his students just right when a jingle resounded across the academy.

“That’s it for today. I was glad to meet you all, my prospect mages,” said Nolan with a satisfied smile, as he looked at the most talented. “By the way, don’t forget to take mana circulation scrolls from the library. You need to practice your mana control. The faster you do it, the earlier we move to the spells.”

Many students nodded to his words while Nolan grabbed some of his stuff, erased words on the board with the man, and left the class.